Today....

[Reach]

Pulled out the old sled today, did the first time in nearly ten years, because we actually have real snow coming tomorrow. Changed one fuel line, cleaned out the primer pump and spark plugs, and the engine fired on the third pull. That says something about the old Scorpion, for sure. And about my Grandfather’s maintenance habits.

Now I need to thaw out because I spent half an hour riding circles in the backyard in jeans and a jacket in 13 degree air.

 

[Matias]

Pulled out the old sled today, did the first time in nearly ten years, because we actually have real snow coming tomorrow. Changed one fuel line, cleaned out the primer pump and spark plugs, and the engine fired on the third pull. That says something about the old Scorpion, for sure. And about my Grandfather’s maintenance habits.

Now I need to thaw out because I spent half an hour riding circles in the backyard in jeans and a jacket in 13 degree air.

Aw man that looks like fuuuuun!!!

 

[Reach]

Aw man that looks like fuuuuun!!!

It sure is! I’ve been riding this particular sled since before I could walk, and now it is mine, since my grandfather passed the other year. I love to ride, but don’t get to a lot because we don’t get much snow.

 

[Jehinten]

Pulled out the old sled today, did the first time in nearly ten years, because we actually have real snow coming tomorrow. Changed one fuel line, cleaned out the primer pump and spark plugs, and the engine fired on the third pull. That says something about the old Scorpion, for sure. And about my Grandfather’s maintenance habits.

Now I need to thaw out because I spent half an hour riding circles in the backyard in jeans and a jacket in 13 degree air.

I've only ridden a couple of times but they sure are fun.

We are just starting to get snow here and I've had the 4 wheeler out sliding around. The kids (and me too) really like drifting around on it. They are predicting 10-14", I'm guessing I'll barely get around at that point, definitely won't be sliding it sideways, at least not on purpose.

 

[Reach]

I've only ridden a couple of times but they sure are fun.

We are just starting to get snow here and I've had the 4 wheeler out sliding around. The kids (and me too) really like drifting around on it. They are predicting 10-14", I'm guessing I'll barely get around at that point, definitely won't be sliding it sideways, at least not on purpose.

For sure. I’ve never ridden a 4 wheeler, but they look like fun too. We are expecting about a foot here too, which makes for great riding. Not so much on four wheels, I’d guess. The kids might do better than you though, since they’re probably lighter than you? Have fun out there!

 

[rico]

Got the Smoke Jumpers all oiled up for a few months in the mountains. Anyone who hasn't owned a pair of legit PNW hand lasted, hand welted, and hand sewn boots doesn't know what they are missing..Magic when broken in.

 

[Matias]

Got the Smoke Jumpers all oiled up for a few months in the mountains of northern NM. Anyone who hasn't owned a pair of legit PNW hand lasted, hand welted, and hand sewn boots doesn't know what they are missing..Magic when broken in.

View attachment 100802

I second that emotion!

I've had several 8" and would really love to try a taller pair like that.

 

[Bendroctanus]

Got the Smoke Jumpers all oiled up for a few months in the mountains of northern NM. Anyone who hasn't owned a pair of legit PNW hand lasted, hand welted, and hand sewn boots doesn't know what they are missing..Magic when broken in.

View attachment 100802

Which brand are those?

 

[Serf Life]

It's cold outside! Outside door in the mudroom nice and frosty. Fully frozen and cracked egg in the coop first thing too!

 

[Reach]

It's cold outside! Outside door in the mudroom nice and frosty. Fully frozen and cracked egg in the coop first thing too! View attachment 100806View attachment 100807

It's cold here, but not that cold. About 10 out there right now, and snowing like crazy. We are expecting a foot, so it will soon be time for plowing round one to begin.

 

[rico]

Which brand are those?

White's. Been wearing their Smokejumper and Ranch boots for 40+ years. Had a boot fetish since the moment I first put my foot in a pair.

The Original Smokejumper WIldland Fire Boot

The Smokejumper can truly be called “the original” fire boot - it set the industry standard in forestry. From woodland fire fighters to experienced hunters, every outdoorsman needs a boot that can stand up to the rigors of the trail, and this Pacific Northwest legend has a perfect record. Blaze...

whitesboots.com

White's Original Farmer/Rancher

Whether you're walking the fields, or rounding up the herd, you need a boot that can endure the punishments of day-to-day work. White's Farmer-Rancher has set the standard for mechanics, mill-workers, and anyone who demands a boot that can last as long as they can.

whitesboots.com

Other great handmade PNW boot builders include Franks and Nicks (both learned their craft working at Whites). I don't believe either is truly hand stitched like the Whites legacy boots though. Instead they machine stitch their boots which some say produces a better more consistent boot..

https://franksboots.com/

https://nicksboots.com/

 

[Bendroctanus]

White's. Been wearing their Smokejumper and Ranch boots for 40+ years. Had a boot fetish since the moment I first put my foot in a pair.

The Original Smokejumper WIldland Fire Boot

The Smokejumper can truly be called “the original” fire boot - it set the industry standard in forestry. From woodland fire fighters to experienced hunters, every outdoorsman needs a boot that can stand up to the rigors of the trail, and this Pacific Northwest legend has a perfect record. Blaze...

whitesboots.com

White's Original Farmer/Rancher

Whether you're walking the fields, or rounding up the herd, you need a boot that can endure the punishments of day-to-day work. White's Farmer-Rancher has set the standard for mechanics, mill-workers, and anyone who demands a boot that can last as long as they can.

whitesboots.com

Other great handmade PNW boot builders include Franks and Nicks (both learned their craft working at Whites). I don't believe either is truly hand stitched like the Whites legacy boots though. Instead they machine stitch their boots which some say produces a better more consistent boot..

https://franksboots.com/

https://nicksboots.com/

Nice. I lived in Spokane for 6 years or so. Got to know some of the boot makers there. The White’s guys were great. Super helpful, friendly, and great at what they do. Had a bad experience at Nick’s that soured me from doing business with them. I think they still make a quality product.

Apparently Nick’s head bootmaker cut ties with them years back and started JK Boots there in Spokane. AWESOME customer service and his whole family was there working with him. Very good quality.

 

[rico]

Nice. I lived in Spokane for 6 years or so. Got to know some of the boot makers there. The White’s guys were great. Super helpful, friendly, and great at what they do. Had a bad experience at Nick’s that soured me from doing business with them. I think they still make a quality product.

Apparently Nick’s head bootmaker cut ties with them years back and started JK Boots there in Spokane. AWESOME customer service and his whole family was there working with him. Very good quality.

100% on your feelings about both Nicks and JK. Nicks builds amazing boots, but I don't like their vibe or business practices. JK is a true small family owned business building world class boots with amazing customer service. I have more than a few friends who are running JK's.

 

[27RMT0N]

A couple of assorted photos. Limb-walking and removing some large branches over a house and deck, pulling a very heavy leaning alder 45* against its lean to keep it uphill then chipping it, and made some removable sideboard extensions and a ramp for the new dump trailer. The trailer has the 'ladder style' equipment ramps built in, but using those and laying this on top will let me go in and out with a wheelbarrow or woodcart. I gotta say though, this pressure treated stuff is HEAVY.

 

[Matias]

A couple of assorted photos. Limb-walking and removing some large branches over a house and deck, pulling a very heavy leaning alder 45* against its lean to keep it uphill then chipping it, and made some removable sideboard extensions and a ramp for the new dump trailer. The trailer has the 'ladder style' equipment ramps built in, but using those and laying this on top will let me go in and out with a wheelbarrow or woodcart. I gotta say though, this pressure treated stuff is HEAVY.

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I really like that grate on the boards! It seems so obvious now that I have seen it, and makes me wonder why I haven't seen that before?!

 

[ghostice]

I really like that grate on the boards! It seems so obvious now that I have seen it, and makes me wonder why I haven't seen that before?!

One thing about grating on a walking surface, from my experience, is once the spaces fill up with snow or mud, you kinda can be back to square one on the traction thing. In large process projects I worked on, operations always made sure that grating was a specific size/ "coarseness"/ depth and was open on the bottom to let stuff fall through, especially on any kind of incline/ ramp. Project construction specs always tried to prevent slips/ trips and falls anywhere they could. Just my 2 cents tho. Stay safe out there.

 

[27RMT0N]

It's just chicken wire stapled on. Lumber of course gets super slipery when wet so it would be way to dangerous without something. It's really just for rain, @ghostice is right it would fill up quickly with mud or ice in those conditions.

The best solution would probably be some kind of expanded metal. It would be lighter and allow debris to fall through, but lumber is easy for me to work with, metal isn't something I have any experience or skill with. Maybe in the future, but this was something I could do now.

 

[southsoundtree]

Some tire studs might work. Idk.

Or

 

[Matias]

Some tire studs might work. Idk.

Or

View attachment 100813

I have been listening to a lot of Jimmy Carr lately. good shit.

 

[ghostice]

Another option might be some small cleats every 16" or so up the ramp - just thin hardwood strips, screwed in. Advantage is that when goop builds up, you can sweep them off easily or even hit em with a pressure washer if it's sticky mud. They use these on boat ramps and gangways. Cheers